Weights for Tartan

**finlay marquisl** · 5th February 09, 01:59 PM

I'm reading from several sources the weight of the Tartan helps keep the wind blowing up the kilt. Also the use of the large pin in front. Has anyone considered using hidden fabric weights for the lighter weight tartans?

Just my limited knowledge so far I suppose that would inhibit what you would want to the pleats to do. but maybe in the front?
They come in small pill size forms too. It could easily be hidden.

http://www.lakewoodconferences.com/c...d_weights.html

**sydnie7** · 5th February 09, 02:19 PM

There's been some discussion of that on this board. One problem would be the little weights banging against your legs as you walk.

**The Wizard of BC** · 5th February 09, 02:49 PM

The consensus is that you do not need weights. That they will do more harm than good. As was said before, they will constantly be hitting on your legs as you walk and will form hard spots in the fabric that will cause holes over time.

Any good Kilt Wool will resist fly away but it is in the construction of the Kilt that prevents inadvertent flashing. If the outer apron flies up there is another one underneath that is pointing the other way which will not fly up.
In the back it is the point that the pleats are stitched down than prevents too much from showing.

Now, if by lighter weights you mean less than say 12oz fabric there is nothing you can do. Those fabrics are simply too light to properly swish anyway so they are unsuitable for a good looking man's Kilt.

**Dixiecat** · 9th February 09, 12:41 AM

Those fabrics are simply too light to properly swish

Really?

**Barb T** · 9th February 09, 04:51 AM

It's almost impossible _not_ to get swing, regardless of the tartan weight, when a Highland dancer is dancing (provided that the fell is the proper length). I wouldn't call this "swish", tho'.

What Steve's talking about is the swish that happens when someone is just walking along. The lighter weight tartans are "flippier", instead of "swishier" when someone is walking.

**Dixiecat** · 9th February 09, 08:44 AM

The lighter weight tartans are "flippier", instead of "swishier" when someone is walking.

I hate to disagree, but I do plenty of walking in my kilt and I can personally vouch for the swish factor. In fact, I feel more 'feminine' wearing my kilt feeling the swish as I walk, than I do in most other skirts in my wardrobe. And, while the length of the fell certainly is a major contributing factor, the fact that my kilt has 29 pleats, 3" deep, makes even the light-weight of the fabric heavy enough to make it swish.

Hmmm. I guess only a video with me walking away from the camera will settle this?

(I keed, I keeed)

**Pleater** · 18th February 09, 08:36 AM

This could form a whole new part of science, studying the oscillation of various sizes of pleats with respect to the weight of fabric, thread count and density, fibre type and weaving method.

It would involve having kilt wearers put on different kilts, with suitable tags on for later computer analysis of the movement and then filming them - probably on a treadmill arrangement, walking at different speeds, maybe various stages of inebriation should also be included, with different wind speeds and directions thrown in for good measure.

Now where did I put that white coat?.....

Anne the Pleater

Who just noticed that my number of posts has gone into four figures. Heavens!!

**mbhandy** · 18th February 09, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by Pleater

Now where did I put that white coat?.....

Anne the Pleater

And your Slide Rule.

MrBill

**pastorsteve** · 18th February 09, 09:03 AM

While I'm not one to generally compare the kilt to women's skirts - as I am an expert in neither - they are very much one in the same. Women (and the kilted) have been wearing skirts/kilts for centuries without any need for skirt/kilt weights. They may help weigh down the fabric but is (I believe) unnecessary.

**thescot** · 18th February 09, 09:07 AM

Well, Dixiecat, I'm sure we will all be willing to watch said video of you walking away from the camera. In fact, I can promise you that we will all watch. And feel free to do a dance step or two as well. Nothing quite like a lass in any kind of kilt/kilted skirt/dress, etc. Expecially when walking or dancing.

But a lass walking in a kilt--no matter the weight of the wool--is not the subject here. We speak of a man's kilt, and back and forth swish that only happens with failry heavy wool. Even light cotton will move, but it won't move like 13 oz or 16 oz wool.

Now, about that video . . .